The first Monday in May is “melanoma Monday”: Most of us don’t think much about skin cancer, though it’s common. What seems like a harmless small growth has the potential to spread, and the effects can be devastating. Skin cancer is preventable, and unlike many cancers you may be able to recognize the first signs.
Risk Factors:
- Sunlight: UV radiation in sunlight is the number one risk factor. The more lifetime sun exposure you have, the higher the risk.
- Severe sunburns: If you have even one severe, blistering sunburn, it increases your risk. The most damaging sunburns happen in childhood, but adult burns are still risky. Even if your skin tans easily, tanning increases a lifetime sun exposure and risk.
- Tanning booths: Artificial UV radiation is very damaging particularly to younger people. Tanning booths produce stronger radiation than sunlight, and if used before the age of 35 the risk of skin cancer may be increased up to 75%. The World Health organization has classified tanning beds as carcinogenic to humans, and the Canadian Cancer Society recommends that no person under 18 should use indoor tanning beds.
- Being fair skinned: If you have light skin that burns easily or freckles, you are more vulnerable to developing skin cancer. Fair skin has less melanin pigment , which protects against UV radiation. People with blue or green eyes, or red or blond hair, are also more at risk.
- Exposure to radiation: If you had a radiation therapy for cancer., you have a greater likelihood of developing non-melanoma cancer in the area that was treated, even may years later.
